NR PUCCH Coverage Extension

ABSTRACT

Methods, apparatuses, and computer programs for NR PUCCH coverage extension are disclosed. A plurality of slots to be allocated for a user equipment may be determined by a base station. One or more control data blocks in one or more of the slots may be mapped to at least one of: a short physical uplink control channel and a long physical uplink control channel based on a type of the one or more slots, wherein the type of the slots includes one of: an uplink-only slot; a bi-directional, uplink slot; and a bi-directional, downlink slot. The plurality of slots may be allocated to the user equipment, and uplink control information on the one or more control data blocks may be received from the user equipment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/402,167, filed on Sep. 30, 2016, the disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to wireless communication systems, and,more specifically, relates to extending uplink control (UL) channelcoverage for future wireless communication systems.

BACKGROUND

This section is intended to provide a background or context to theinvention disclosed below. The description herein may include conceptsthat could be pursued, but are not necessarily ones that have beenpreviously conceived, implemented or described. Therefore, unlessotherwise explicitly indicated herein, what is described in this sectionis not prior art to the description in this application and is notadmitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section. Abbreviationsthat may be found in the specification and/or the drawing figures aredefined below, after the main part of the detailed description section.

Recently, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has approved astudy item relating to develop the requirements and specification fornew radio (NR) systems. See the following document: RP-160671, New SIDProposal: Study on New Radio Access Technology, 3GPP TSG RAN Meeting#71, Göteborg, Sweden, 7.-10. March, 2016). An objective of the studyitem is to identify and develop technology components needed for NRsystems being able to use any spectrum band ranging at least up to 100GHz. The goal of the study item is to achieve a single technicalframework addressing all usage scenarios, requirements and deploymentscenarios as defined in 3GPP TR38.913.

One area related to this study item is the physical layer design forphysical uplink control channel (PUCCH). The PUCCH, which carries ULcontrol information such as HARQ-ACK and/or CSI via UL channel(s),should support the improvements being made for NR systems. Inparticular, PUCCH coverage needs to be extended for NR systems.

BRIEF SUMMARY

This section is intended to include examples and is not intended to belimiting.

In an example of an embodiment, a method is disclosed that includesdetermining, by a base station of a wireless network, a plurality ofslots to be allocated for a user equipment; mapping one or more controldata blocks in one or more of the slots to at least one of: a shortphysical uplink control channel and a long physical uplink controlchannel based on a type of the one or more slots, wherein the type ofthe slots comprises one of: an uplink-only slot; a bi-directional,uplink slot; and a bi-directional, downlink slot; allocating, to theuser equipment, the plurality of slots; and receiving, from the userequipment, uplink control information on the one or more control datablocks.

An additional example of an embodiment includes a computer program,comprising code for performing the method of the previous paragraph,when the computer program is run on a processor. The computer programaccording to this paragraph, wherein the computer program is a computerprogram product comprising a computer-readable medium bearing computerprogram code embodied therein for use with a computer.

An example of an apparatus includes one or more processors and one ormore memories including computer program code. The one or more memoriesand the computer program code are configured to, with the one or moreprocessors, cause the apparatus to at least: determine, by a basestation of a wireless network, a plurality of slots to be allocated fora user equipment; map one or more control data blocks in one or more ofthe slots to at least one of: a short physical uplink control channeland a long physical uplink control channel based on a type of the one ormore slots, wherein the type of the slots comprises one of: anuplink-only slot; a bi-directional, uplink slot; and a bi-directional,downlink slot; allocate, to the user equipment, the plurality of slots;and receive, from the user equipment, uplink control information on theone or more control data blocks

In another example of an embodiment, an apparatus comprises means fordetermining, by a base station of a wireless network, a plurality ofslots to be allocated for a user equipment; means for mapping one ormore control data blocks in one or more of the slots to at least one of:a short physical uplink control channel and a long physical uplinkcontrol channel based on a type of the one or more slots, wherein thetype of the slots comprises one of: an uplink-only slot; abi-directional, uplink slot; and a bi-directional, downlink slot; meansfor allocating, to the user equipment, the plurality of slots; and meansfor receiving, from the user equipment, uplink control information onthe one or more control data blocks.

In another example of an embodiment, a method is disclosed that includesreceiving, by a user equipment, a plurality of slots allocated for theuser equipment; determining, for one or more slots, one or more controldata blocks allocated for at least one of: a short physical uplinkcontrol channel and a long physical uplink control channel based atleast on whether the slot is a downlink-only slot; an uplink-only slot;a bi-directional, uplink slot; and a bi-directional, downlink slot;transmitting uplink control information on the one or more control datablocks.

An additional example of an embodiment includes a computer program,comprising code for performing the method of the previous paragraph,when the computer program is run on a processor. The computer programaccording to this paragraph, wherein the computer program is a computerprogram product comprising a computer-readable medium bearing computerprogram code embodied therein for use with a computer.

An example of an apparatus includes one or more processors and one ormore memories including computer program code. The one or more memoriesand the computer program code are configured to, with the one or moreprocessors, cause the apparatus to at least: receive, by a userequipment, a plurality of slots allocated for the user equipment;determine, for one or more slots, one or more control data blocksallocated for at least one of: a short physical uplink control channeland a long physical uplink control channel based at least on whether theslot is a downlink-only slot; an uplink-only slot; a bi-directional,uplink slot; and a bi-directional, downlink slot; and transmit uplinkcontrol information on the one or more control data blocks.

In another example of an embodiment, an apparatus comprises means forreceiving, by a user equipment, a plurality of slots allocated for theuser equipment; means for determining, for one or more slots, one ormore control data blocks allocated for at least one of: a short physicaluplink control channel and a long physical uplink control channel basedat least on whether the slot is a downlink-only slot; an uplink-onlyslot; a bi-directional, uplink slot; and a bi-directional, downlinkslot; and means for transmitting uplink control information on the oneor more control data blocks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the attached Drawing Figures:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one possible and non-limiting exemplarysystem in which the exemplary embodiments may be practiced;

FIG. 2 shows types of subframes in accordance with exemplaryembodiments;

FIG. 3 shows a DL Tx burst and a UL Tx burst based on a MulteFireAlliance scenario;

FIG. 4 shows an example of beamforming of RF beams of a BS in accordancewith exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 5 shows examples of different PUCCH resource unit scenarios inaccordance with exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 6 shows another example of multiplexing between UL subframe data(Ud), Long PUCCH and Short PUCCH for UL-only type subframes inaccordance with exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 7 shows an example of multiplexing between UL subframe data (Ud),Long PUCCH and Short PUCCH for bi-directional UL type subframes inaccordance with exemplary embodiments; and

FIGS. 8 and 9 are logic flow diagrams for NR PUCCH coverage extension,and illustrate the operation of exemplary methods, a result of executionof computer program instructions embodied on a computer readable memory,functions performed by logic implemented in hardware, and/orinterconnected means for performing functions in accordance withexemplary embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example,instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as“exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other embodiments. All of the embodiments described inthis Detailed Description are exemplary embodiments provided to enablepersons skilled in the art to make or use the invention and not to limitthe scope of the invention which is defined by the claims.

Although this descriptions generally refers to LTE terms, it should beunderstood that other terms could be used as well, for example NR PUCCH.

The exemplary embodiments herein describe techniques for NR PUCCHcoverage extension. Additional description of these techniques ispresented after a system into which the exemplary embodiments may beused is described.

Turning to FIG. 1, this figure shows a block diagram of one possible andnon-limiting exemplary system in which the exemplary embodiments may bepracticed. In FIG. 1, a user equipment (UE) 110 is in wirelesscommunication with a wireless network 100. A UE is a wireless, typicallymobile device that can access a wireless network. The UE 110 includesone or more processors 120, one or more memories 125, and one or moretransceivers 130 interconnected through one or more buses 127. Each ofthe one or more transceivers 130 includes a receiver, Rx, 132 and atransmitter, Tx, 133. The one or more buses 127 may be address, data, orcontrol buses, and may include any interconnection mechanism, such as aseries of lines on a motherboard or integrated circuit, fiber optics orother optical communication equipment, and the like. The one or moretransceivers 130 are connected to one or more antennas 128. The one ormore memories 125 include computer program code 123. The UE 110 includesa determination module 140, comprising one of or both parts 140-1 and/or140-2, which may be implemented in a number of ways. The determinationmodule 140 may be implemented in hardware as determination module 140-1,such as being implemented as part of the one or more processors 120. Thedetermination module 140-1 may be implemented also as an integratedcircuit or through other hardware such as a programmable gate array. Inanother example, the determination module 140 may be implemented asdetermination module 140-2, which is implemented as computer programcode 123 and is executed by the one or more processors 120. Forinstance, the one or more memories 125 and the computer program code 123may be configured to, with the one or more processors 120, cause theuser equipment 110 to perform one or more of the operations as describedherein. The UE 110 communicates with eNB 170 via a wireless link 111.

The eNB (evolved NodeB) 170 is a base station (e.g., for LTE, long termevolution) that provides access by wireless devices such as the UBE 110to the wireless network 100. The eNB 170 includes one or more processors152, one or more memories 155, one or more network interfaces (N/WI/F(s)) 161, and one or more transceivers 160 interconnected through oneor more buses 157. Each of the one or more transceivers 160 includes areceiver, Rx, 162 and a transmitter, Tx, 163. The one or moretransceivers 160 are connected to one or more antennas 158. The one ormore memories 155 include computer program code 153. The eNB 170includes a configuration module 150, comprising one of or both parts150-1 and/or 150-2, which may be implemented in a number of ways. Theconfiguration module 150 may be implemented in hardware as configurationmodule 150-1, such as being implemented as part of the one or moreprocessors 152. The configuration module 150-1 may be implemented alsoas an integrated circuit or through other hardware such as aprogrammable gate array. In another example, the configuration module150 may be implemented as configuration module 150-2, which isimplemented as computer program code 153 and is executed by the one ormore processors 152. For instance, the one or more memories 155 and thecomputer program code 153 are configured to, with the one or moreprocessors 152, cause the eNB 170 to perform one or more of theoperations as described herein. The one or more network interfaces 161communicate over a network such as via the links 176 and 131. Two ormore eNBs 170 communicate using, e.g., link 176. The link 176 may bewired or wireless or both and may implement, e.g., an X2 interface.

The one or more buses 157 may be address, data, or control buses, andmay include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of lines ona motherboard or integrated circuit, fiber optics or other opticalcommunication equipment, wireless channels, and the like. For example,the one or more transceivers 160 may be implemented as a remote radiohead (RRH) 195, with the other elements of the eNB 170 being physicallyin a different location from the RRH, and the one or more buses 157could be implemented in part as fiber optic cable to connect the otherelements of the eNB 170 to the RRH 195.

It is noted that description herein indicates that “cells” performfunctions, but it should be clear that the eNB that forms the cell willperform the functions. The cell makes up part of an eNB. That is, therecan be multiple cells per eNB. For instance, there could be three cellsfor a single eNB carrier frequency and associated bandwidth, each cellcovering one-third of a 360 degree area so that the single eNB'scoverage area covers an approximate oval or circle. Furthermore, eachcell can correspond to a single carrier and an eNB may use multiplecarriers. So if there are three 120 degree cells per carrier and twocarriers, then the eNB has a total of 6 cells.

The wireless network 100 may include a network control element (NCE) 190that may include MME (Mobility Management Entity)/SGW (Serving Gateway)functionality, and which provides connectivity with a further network,such as a telephone network and/or a data communications network (e.g.,the Internet). The eNB 170 is coupled via a link 131 to the NCE 190. Thelink 131 may be implemented as, e.g., an S1 interface. The NCE 190includes one or more processors 175, one or more memories 171, and oneor more network interfaces (N/W I/F(s)) 180, interconnected through oneor more buses 185. The one or more memories 171 include computer programcode 173. The one or more memories 171 and the computer program code 173are configured to, with the one or more processors 175, cause the NCE190 to perform one or more operations.

The wireless network 100 may implement network virtualization, which isthe process of combining hardware and software network resources andnetwork functionality into a single, software-based administrativeentity, a virtual network. Network virtualization involves platformvirtualization, often combined with resource virtualization. Networkvirtualization is categorized as either external, combining manynetworks, or parts of networks, into a virtual unit, or internal,providing network-like functionality to software containers on a singlesystem. Note that the virtualized entities that result from the networkvirtualization are still implemented, at some level, using hardware suchas processors 152 or 175 and memories 155 and 171, and also suchvirtualized entities create technical effects.

The computer readable memories 125, 155, and 171 may be of any typesuitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented usingany suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor based memorydevices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, opticalmemory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. Thecomputer readable memories 125, 155, and 171 may be means for performingstorage functions. The processors 120, 152, and 175 may be of any typesuitable to the local technical environment, and may include one or moreof general purpose computers, special purpose computers,microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and processors basedon a multi-core processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. Theprocessors 120, 152, and 175 may be means for performing functions, suchas controlling the UE 110, eNB 170, and other functions as describedherein.

In general, the various embodiments of the user equipment 110 caninclude, but are not limited to, cellular telephones such as smartphones, tablets, personal digital assistants (PDAs) having wirelesscommunication capabilities, portable computers having wirelesscommunication capabilities, image capture devices such as digitalcameras having wireless communication capabilities, gaming deviceshaving wireless communication capabilities, music storage and playbackappliances having wireless communication capabilities, Internetappliances permitting wireless Internet access and browsing, tabletswith wireless communication capabilities, as well as portable units orterminals that incorporate combinations of such functions.

Having thus introduced one suitable but non-limiting technical contextfor the practice of the exemplary embodiments of this invention, theexemplary embodiments will now be described with greater specificity.

The term ‘subframe’ is used herein to indicate a regular scheduling unitin time, e.g., in an NR system. It is noted that the specific terms forNR have not yet been established, therefore ‘subframe’ should not beseen as limiting. For example, the term ‘slot’ may also be used toindicate a regular scheduling unit in time. Furthermore, the subframe(slot) may be divided into smaller scheduling units in time. These maybe referred to as mini-slots.

The basic NR frame structure forms the boundary conditions for the ULcontrol channel design. In RAN1 #86 (see RAN1 Chairman's Notes, 3GPP TSGRAN WG1 Meeting #86, 3PGG), the following agreements related to slotstructure were made:

-   -   Slot of duration y OFDM symbols in the numerology used for        transmission;    -   An integer number of slots fit within one subframe duration (at        least for subcarrier spacing that is larger than or equal the        reference numerology);    -   The structure allows for ctrl at the beginning only;    -   The structure allows for ctrl at the end only;    -   The structure allows for ctrl at the end and at the beginning;    -   Other structure is not precluded; and    -   One possible scheduling unit.

Referring now to FIG. 2, this figure illustrates example types ofsubframes in accordance with exemplary embodiments. Each of the subframetypes shown in FIG. 2 include 7 OFDM symbols (i.e. y=7). The DL-onlysubframe 202 shown in FIG. 2 includes a downlink control (Dc) symbol 210at position 0, which is followed by six downlink data (Dd) symbols 212at positions 1-6. The UL-only subframe 204 shown in FIG. 2, includesuplink data (Ud) symbols 214 at positions 0-5 and an uplink control (UC)symbol 216 at position 6. These types of subframes are needed at leastin FDD mode, but also in certain TDD scenarios to allow longertransmission periods in a same direction. In order to support smoothcoverage extension for a UE, it should be possible to extend thetransmission of data and control channels over multiple subframes.

FIG. 2 also shows a bi-directional, DL subframe 206. The bi-directional,DL subframe 206 includes a Dc symbol 210 at position 0, four Dd symbols212 at positions 1-4, a guard period (GP) symbol 218 at position 5, andan Uc symbol 216 at position 6. Finally, FIG. 2 also shows abi-directional, UL subframe 208 which includes a Dc symbol 210 atposition 0, a GP symbol 218 at position 1, four Ud symbols 214 atpositions 2-5, and a Uc symbol 216 at position 6. As can be seen thebi-directional type of subframes include either downlink data or uplinkdata transmission in each subframe, as well as the correspondingdownlink and uplink control. The bi-directional subframes 206, 208facilitate many crucial TDD functionalities in the NR frame structure,such as:

-   -   Link direction switching between DL and UL;    -   Fully flexible traffic adaptation between DL and UL; and    -   Opportunity for low latency, provided that subframe length is        selected to be short enough.

These subframe types provide the basic support for both time divisionduplex (TDD) and frequency division duplex (FDD). In all subframes,multiplexing between DL control, DL/UL data, GP and UL control is basedon time division multiplexing which allows fast energy efficientpipeline processing of control and data in the receiver. Physical UplinkControl Channel (PUCCH) is conveyed in the Uc control symbol(s) 216located at the end of the subframes. It should be possible to carrydifferent uplink control information (UCI) types such as HARQ feedback,scheduling request, CSI feedback and their combinations via PUCCH.Additionally, it should be possible to multiplex PUCCH with soundingreference signal (SRS) within the UL control symbol(s) 216.

Some implementations of PUCCH have been discussed in the context ofMultefire (LTE standalone operation on unlicensed band). In a MulteFireAlliance scenario, HARQ-ACK feedback is based mainly on Short PUCCHlocated right after a DL Tx burst. For instance, FIG. 3 shows a DLtransmission burst which includes subframes for the PDCCH 302 and PDSCH304, which is follows by UL Tx burst. The UL Tx burst in FIG. 3 includesa Short PUCCH 306 which is up-to four SC-FDMA symbols and followed byPUSCH subframes 308. The Multefire supports also another container forUCI, namely so called ePUCCH, triggered by eNB. The duration of ePUCCHis one subframe (1 ms) and it utilizes one or more PUSCH interlacesconsisting of 10 PRBs interleaved over the entire system bandwidth. Themotivation of ePUCCH is to provide an opportunity for eNB to pollpending HARQ-ACKs e.g. due to the fact that negative LBT may haveprevented certain UE to send HARQ-ACK via regular sPUCCH. Thefunctionality defined in Multefire does not apply to such situationswhere Long PUCCH and Short PUCCH exist in parallel in the same subframeas is the case for NR system scenarios described herein.

Forward compatibility forms another set of requirements for controlchannel design. These requirements include:

-   -   Defining downlink and uplink control (and data channels) as well        as reference signals in block based manner;    -   Allocation of DMRS and CSI acquisition signals in UE specific        manner,    -   Confining DMRS for the physical channel inside the resource        allocation region of the channel.

Based on those requirements, a UE should be able to transmit certain ULcontrol channel using a narrow subband of the entire system bandwidth.

One challenge with the NR frame structure represented in FIG. 2 is thatUL control channel coverage may not be sufficient for all scenarios. Forexample, in LTE, the PUCCH duration is one millisecond whereas in thesubframe types shown in FIG. 2, the PUCCH duration is just one OFDMAsymbol. It is preferable that the NR PUCCH would have comparable ULcoverage as compared to LTE. Another problem introduced with NR systemsis how to extend PUCCH opportunities within a subframe when operatingaccording to analog/hybrid beamforming architecture at the BS.

The beamforming architecture used in the BS also needs to be taken intoaccount in the UL control channel design. Typical characteristics forhybrid beamforming operating with limited number of RF beams in parallelis that the beams can cover only portion of the cell coverage at a time.Referring to FIG. 4, this figure shows an example of beamforming of RFbeams of a BS. In this example, there are eight possible beams 402, 404that the BS can form for the portion of the cell 400. In this example,the BS has capability to form two RF beams at a time, and thus providescoverage for the portion of the cell 400 corresponding to the two beams402. The narrower the beam the less UEs can share the same beam. Thusgiven the low number of available high accuracy and large bandwidthTXRUs, the multiplexing capacity will be limited by the number of TXRUs.

Considering uplink control channel reception, and taking into accountthe hardware limitation, it should be possible to configure multiple ULcontrol symbols per subframe. There also should be an opportunity for RFbeam switching between consecutive UL control symbols. On the otherhand, if the number of multiplexed UEs per symbol is small (due to, forexample, a hardware limit), each UE could occupy a large number ofresource elements in frequency.

When operating with a digital beamforming architecture or with a digitalRX subsystem along with the main hybrid RX system, a BS can processPUCCH from the whole sector at once with high enough array gain and highDoA resolution capabilities. Digital beamforming architecture benefitsfrom the following design principles:

-   -   Transmission bandwidth of the UL control signal and demodulation        RS significantly smaller than system bandwidth    -   Efficient multiplexing between narrowband control signals and        other/wideband signals (potentially received using hybrid        architecture).

Hence, in order to maximize the capabilities of digital beamformingarchitecture/subsystem, the PUCCH and related RS structures may bedefined in a way that allows optimizing BS hybrid implementation withfull digital RX subsystem:

-   -   narrowband signal structures with flexible allocation and        scheduling possibility    -   signal design to enable high multiplexing capability for the        control signals like scheduling request.

According to an example embodiment, the PUCCH comprises K parallelresource block groups (RBGs), a.k.a. PUCCH resource units, eachconsisting of M physical resource blocks (PRBs). Accordingly, each PUCCHRBG consists of M*N subcarriers. A PUCCH RBG may be considered theminimum amount of resources allocated to a user equipment for the PUCCH.In an example embodiment, M may equal 4 or 8, for example, and N mayequal 12. The number of PUCCH RBGs depends on the system bandwidth aswell as parameters M and N.

Referring now to FIG. 5, this figure shows examples of different PUCCHresource unit scenarios in accordance with exemplary embodiments. InFIG. 5, the frequency band 500 is divided into K parallel PUCCH resourceunits and it is assumed that the number of subcarriers per PRB is 12. Itmakes sense to have equal number of subcarriers per PRB for both controland data channels. The number of subcarriers per PUCCH resource unit isequal to M*12. In the scenario shown on the left a Short PUCCH 502having one OFDMA symbol is shown; the middle scenario shows an optionhaving Short PUCCH 504 including two OFDMA symbols; and the examplescenario 506 on the right includes both a Short PUCCH 502 with one OFDMAsymbol and Long PUCCH 508 with seven OFDMA symbols and two PUCCHresource units. Long PUCCH is available only for slot types supportingUL data transmission (denoted as PUCCH in FIG. 5).

A UE transmits information via PUCCH using one or more PUCCH resourceunits at a time. In order to maximize the multiplexing capacity,multiplexing of UEs within a PUCCH resource unit should be supported.For example, it should be possible to use one PUCCH resource unit ofShort PUCCH for conveying, sounding reference signal(s), schedulingrequest(s) and/or small HARQ payload(s) for multiple UEs. It should alsobe possible to multiplex UEs with larg(er) PUCCH payload within onePUCCH resource unit of Long PUCCH.

According to exemplary embodiments, availability and duration of thePUCCH is defined based on the subframe type. For example, depending onthe type of subframe: a Short PUCCH may be available (such as ShortPUCCH 502 or Short PUCCH 504 for example); a Long PUCCH (such as LongPUCCH 508 may be available for example); both short and Long PUCCH maybe available; or no PUCCH may be available. According to one example,the availability and duration of the PUCCH may be defined as follows:

-   -   For DL-only subframe type, no PUCCH is available;    -   For bi-directional DL subframe type, only Short PUCCH is        available;    -   For bi-directional UL subframe type, both Long PUCCH and Short        PUCCH are available; and    -   For UL-only subframe type, then both Long PUCCH and Short PUCCH        are available.

For the bi-directional UL subframe type and UL-only subframe typesabove, the selection between Long PUCCH and Short PUCCH may depend on aconfiguration of the subframe and predefined rules, which are discussedin more detail below.

Referring now to FIG. 6, this figure shows an example of multiplexingbetween UL data (Ud), Long PUCCH and Short PUCCH for UL-only typesubframes. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the UL subframe 600 comprises16 parallel PUCCH RBGs. The PUCCH RBGs that correspond to number 0, 7,and 15 are assigned for Long PUCCH (in the current exemplary embodiment)and the other PUCCH RBGs are Short PUCCH.

Referring now to FIG. 7, this figure shows another example ofmultiplexing between UL subframe data (Ud), Long PUCCH and Short PUCCHfor bi-directional UL type subframes. In the example shown in FIG. 7,the bi-directional UL subframe 700 comprises 16 parallel PUCCH RBGs. Inthis example, the first OFDMA symbol in each PUCCH RBG is a downlinkcontrol symbol which is followed by a guard period. The PUCCH resourceunit (RBG) numbered 0, 4, and 15 each include a Long PUCCH after theguard period. The other subframes each have 4 OFDMA uplink data symbolsand end with a Short PUCCH.

The Long PUCCH may be characterized, for example as follows:

-   -   UE is configured to use one or more predetermined PUCCH RBGs for        transmitting (short/long) PUCCH;    -   FDM multiplexing is applied between Long PUCCH, Short PUCCH and        PUSCH. In addition, Short PUCCH and Long PUCCH may also be time        division multiplexed.    -   Long PUCCH is available only in subframes with opportunity for        PUSCH allocation. The number of symbols available for Long PUCCH        equals to that of PUSCH allocation.

The selection between Long PUCCH and Short PUCCH may be made, forexample, according to various predefined rules. For example, theselection between Long PUCCH and Short PUCCH may be made via dedicatedhigher layer signaling (such as RRC). The configuration may apply to allUCI types. In other words, if a UE is configured to use Long PUCCH, itmay use it for all UCI types.

Another possibility is to make a connection between PUCCH RBG (PUCCHresource unit) and PUCCH type (i.e. Long PUCCH and Short PUCCH) in apredetermined way. An example is shown in FIG. 5 (506). Following thisapproach, a PUCCH resource unit is selected via explicit signaling (suchas signaling included in the DCI, or via explicit higher layersignaling). The selection may include implicit info about the PUCCH typeaccording to predefined configuration of PUCCH RBGs with Long PUCCH (andShort PUCCH). The configuration may be done by higher layer signaling(cell specific or dedicated). For example, if PUCCH RBG #1 beingconfigured as RBG with Long PUCCH is selected, it will automaticallyfollow Long PUCCH configuration, provided that the subframe supportsPUSCH transmission. On the other hand, if PUCCH RBG #4 being configuredfor Short PUCCH is selected, it will always follow Short PUCCHconfiguration.

Yet another possibility, is to define PUCCH type separately fordifferent UCI types (SR, HARQ-ACK, CSI). For example, a schedulingrequest may apply Short PUCCH whereas HARQ-ACK and CQI may apply LongPUCCH, respectively.

Another example is to define a certain threshold, for example, x bitswhere UCI payloads ≤x bits apply a Short PUCCH and where UCI payload >xbits apply a Long PUCCH, respectively. Yet another option is selectPUCCH format explicitly (dynamically) via DL grant triggering PUCCHtransmission.

In an example embodiment, a UCI profile is changed according to theavailability of Long PUCCH. For example, Short PUCCH may apply HARQ/ACKbundling whereas Long PUCCH may support HARQ-ACK transmission withoutbundling. The supported UCI payload may also depend on the availabilityof Long PUCCH. For example, Long PUCCH could support multiplexing of CSIand HARQ-ACK in the same subframe whereas in the case when Long PUCCH isnot available, CSI is dropped and HARQ-ACK only is transmitted via ShortPUCCH.

In an example embodiment, selection between a short PUCCH and a longPUCCH has a connection to UE processing time. If the UE utilizes ShortPUCCH for HARQ-ACK feedback, the minimum processing time may be equal tok subframes (slots). For instance, if HARQ-ACK is transmitted via shortPUCCH in subframe n, the corresponding DL data is transmitted at least ksubframes earlier (i.e. in subframe n-k) whereas if HARQ-ACK istransmitted via long PUCCH in subframe n, the corresponding DL data istransmitted at least k+1 subframes earlier (i.e. in subframe n-k−1),wherein parameter k corresponds to a minimum HARQ-ACK processing timefor the UE.

In one example embodiment, Long PUCCH allocation may be divided intomultiple Short PUCCH allocations to enable e.g. an uplink sweeping typeoperation where a base station may try different BS beams to get a bestalignment for the UE's signal. Correspondingly, the UE would transmitcertain Short PUCCH signal multiple times within a Long PUCCHallocation. This means that a UE could be allocated R Short PUCCHallocations within a Long PUCCH allocation using the above describedresource allocation methods.

To enable potentially required guard periods for the BS to switch RFfrom to another, the following guard period methods can be considered:the UE may be allocated Short PUCCH on every second symbol on Long PUCCHallocation region and thus every second symbol would be used as guardfor beam switch at BS. The BS may allocate one of its transceiver unitsfor this operation and use other transceiver units and beams to receiveUL data or UL Long PUCCH simultaneously in FDM manner. According toanother option, a Guard period is considered to be part of the cyclicprefix of the Long PUCCH symbol.

Long PUCCH may support multiple parallel channels within RBG. These canbe achieved by means of CDM (e.g. orthogonal cover code and/or cyclicshifts) or FDM. The transmission may cover one or more predeterminedPUCCH RBGs, which may be localized or distributed in the frequency.

Long PUCCH may be used for different UCI scenarios including: Schedulingrequest (cyclic shifts+orthogonal cover code); ½-bit HARQ/ACK (cyclicshifts+orthogonal cover code); or multiple HARQ/ACK bits based on jointcoding (orthogonal code only).

In one example embodiment, Long PUCCH is used only in the case when UEis transmitting uplink control information (UCI). In the case whensubframe (slot) contains also uplink data (PUSCH), then UCI ismultiplexed with UL data on PUSCH. In another example embodiment, LongPUCCH is used for UCI regardless of the simultaneous PUSCH allocation inthe same subframe.

FIG. 8 is a logic flow diagram for NR PUCCH coverage extension. Thisfigure further illustrates the operation of an exemplary method ormethods, a result of execution of computer program instructions embodiedon a computer readable memory, functions performed by logic implementedin hardware, and/or interconnected means for performing functions inaccordance with exemplary embodiments. For instance, the determinationmodule 140 may include multiples ones of the blocks in FIG. 8, whereeach included block is an interconnected means for performing thefunction in the block. The blocks in FIG. 8 are assumed to be performedby the UE 110, e.g., under control of the determination module 140 atleast in part.

Referring to FIG. 8, according to an example embodiment a method maycomprise: receiving, by a user equipment, a plurality of subframesallocated for the user equipment, as indicated by block 800;determining, for one or more subframes, one or more control data blocksallocated for at least one of: a short physical uplink control channeland a long physical uplink control channel based at least on whether thesubframe is a downlink-only subframe; an uplink-only subframe; abi-directional, uplink subframe; and a bi-directional, downlinksubframe, as indicated by block 802; and transmitting uplink controlinformation on the one or more control data blocks, as indicated byblock 804.

The determining may include: determining that no control data blocks areavailable for a physical uplink control channel for subframes that aredownlink-only subframe type; determining that one or more control datablocks for a short physical uplink control channel are available forsubframes of a bi-directional, downlink subframe type; and determiningthat one or more control data blocks for a short physical uplink controlchannel and a long physical uplink control channel are available forbi-directional, uplink subframes and/or an uplink-only subframes.

The number of control data blocks allocated for the long physical uplinkcontrol channel may be equal to a number of data blocks allocated for aphysical uplink shared channel.

The method may include: selecting to transmit the uplink controlinformation on the short physical uplink control channel or the longphysical uplink control channel based on at least one of: radio resourcecontrol signaling received by the user equipment; a type of the uplinkcontrol information, wherein the type of uplink control information mayinclude at least one of: a scheduling request (SR), HARQ-ACK, channelstate information (CSI); a predefined threshold, such that uplinkcontrol information having a payload greater than the predefinedthreshold may be received on the long physical uplink control channel,and uplink control information having a payload less than the predefinedthreshold may be received on the short physical uplink control channel;a processing time of the user equipment; and a dynamic downlink triggerreceived by the base station.

The uplink control information may be at least one of HARQ-ACK and CQIthat is transmitted on the long physical uplink control channel, anduplink control information comprising a SR that is transmitted on thelong physical uplink control channel.

The method may include selecting to transmit the uplink controlinformation on the short physical uplink control channel or the longphysical uplink control channel based on a predefined physical uplinkcontrol channel resource block group configuration.

A data block and/or a control data block may be at least one of: anOFDMA symbol, SC-FDMA symbol, and a DFT-S-OFDMA symbol.

The method may include determining control data blocks configured forthe long physical uplink control channel comprise multiple shortphysical uplink control channel allocations; and transmitting, from theuser equipment, an uplink signal on each of the multiple short physicaluplink control channel allocations.

The control data blocks for the multiple short physical control channelallocations may be guard periods between the multiple short physicaluplink control channel allocations of the long physical uplink controlchannel allocation. The method may include receiving downlink data in aphysical downlink shared channel, wherein the uplink control informationmay be a HARQ-ACK and the uplink control information may be transmittedon the short physical uplink control channel or the long physical uplinkcontrol channel based on at least one of: a processing time fromdetection of the physical downlink shared channel to the HARQ-ACKtransmission, wherein the uplink control information may be transmittedon the short physical uplink control if the processing time is less thanor equal-to a minimum processing time, k, and wherein the uplink controlinformation may be transmitted on the long physical uplink controlchannel if the processing time is greater than k. If the uplink controlinformation is transmitted on the short physical uplink control channelthen the downlink data may be received at least k subframes earlier, andif the uplink control information is transmitted on the long physicaluplink control channel then the downlink data may be received in atleast k+1 subframes earlier.

In another embodiment, an apparatus may include: at least one processor,and at least one non-transitory memory including computer program code,the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to,with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:receive, by a user equipment, a plurality of subframes allocated for theuser equipment, determine, for one or more subframes, one or morecontrol data blocks allocated for at least one of: a short physicaluplink control channel and a long physical uplink control channel basedat least on whether the subframe is a downlink-only subframe; anuplink-only subframe; a bi-directional, uplink subframe; and abi-directional, downlink subframe; transmit uplink control informationon the one or more control data blocks.

The determination may be: determination that no control data blocks areavailable for a physical uplink control channel for subframes that aredownlink-only subframe type; determination that one or more control datablocks for a short physical uplink control channel are available forsubframes of a bi-directional, downlink subframe type; and determinationthat one or more control data blocks for a short physical uplink controlchannel and a long physical uplink control channel are available forbi-directional, uplink subframes and/or an uplink-only subframes.

A number of control data blocks allocated for the long physical uplinkcontrol channel may be equal to a number of data blocks allocated for aphysical uplink shared channel.

The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configuredto, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:select to transmit the uplink control information on the short physicaluplink control channel or the long physical uplink control channel basedon at least one of: radio resource control signaling received by theuser equipment; a type of the uplink control information, wherein thetype of uplink control information may be at least one of: a schedulingrequest (SR), HARQ-ACK, channel state information (CSI); a predefinedthreshold, such that uplink control information having a payload greaterthan the predefined threshold is received on the long physical uplinkcontrol channel, and uplink control information having a payload lessthan the predefined threshold is received on the short physical uplinkcontrol channel; a processing time of the user equipment; and a dynamicdownlink trigger received by the base station.

The uplink control information may be at least one of HARQ-ACK and CQIthat is transmitted on the long physical uplink control channel, anduplink control information comprising a SR that is transmitted on thelong physical uplink control channel.

The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configuredto, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:select to transmit the uplink control information on the short physicaluplink control channel or the long physical uplink control channel basedon a predefined physical uplink control channel resource block groupconfiguration.

The at least one of: a data block and a control data block may be: anOFDMA symbol, SC-FDMA symbol, or a DFT-S-OFDMA symbol.

The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configuredto, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:determine control data blocks configured for the long physical uplinkcontrol channel comprise multiple short physical uplink control channelallocations; and transmit, from the user equipment, an uplink signal oneach of the multiple short physical uplink control channel allocations.

The control data blocks for the multiple short physical control channelallocations may be guard periods between the multiple short physicaluplink control channel allocations of the long physical uplink controlchannel allocation. The at least one memory and the computer programcode may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause theapparatus at least to: receive downlink data in a physical downlinkshared channel, wherein the uplink control information may be a HARQ-ACKand the uplink control information may be transmitted on the shortphysical uplink control channel or the long physical uplink controlchannel based on at least one of a processing time from detection of thephysical downlink shared channel to the HARQ-ACK transmission, whereinthe uplink control information may be transmitted on the short physicaluplink control if the processing time is less than or equal to a minimumprocessing time, k, and wherein the uplink control information may betransmitted on the long physical uplink control channel if theprocessing time is greater than k. If the uplink control information maybe transmitted on the short physical uplink control channel then thedownlink data was received at least k subframes earlier, and if theuplink control information may be transmitted on the long physicaluplink control channel then the downlink data was received in at leastk+1l subframes earlier.

FIG. 9 is a logic flow diagram for NR PUCCH coverage extension. Thisfigure further illustrates the operation of an exemplary method ormethods, a result of execution of computer program instructions embodiedon a computer readable memory, functions performed by logic implementedin hardware, and/or interconnected means for performing functions inaccordance with exemplary embodiments. For instance, the configurationmodule 150 may include multiples ones of the blocks in FIG. 9, whereeach included block is an interconnected means for performing thefunction in the block. The blocks in FIG. 9 are assumed to be performedby a base station such as eNB 170, e.g., under control of theconfiguration module 150 at least in part.

Referring to FIG. 9, a method may comprise: determining, by a basestation of a wireless network, a plurality of subframes to be allocatedfor a user equipment, as indicated by block 900; mapping one or morecontrol data blocks in one or more of the subframes to at least one of:a short physical uplink control channel and a long physical uplinkcontrol channel based on a type of the one or more subframes, whereinthe type of the subframes may include one of: an uplink-only subframe; abi-directional, uplink subframe; and a bi-directional, downlink subframeas indicated by block 902; allocating, to the user equipment, theplurality of subframes, as indicated by block 904; and receiving, fromthe user equipment, uplink control information on the one or morecontrol data blocks, as indicated by block 906.

The bi-directional, downlink subframes may be mapped to the shortphysical uplink channel; and the bi-directional, uplink subframes anduplink-only subframes may be mapped to at least one of: a short physicaluplink control channel and a long physical control channel.

The method may include dividing the control data blocks configured forthe long physical uplink control channel into multiple short physicalcontrol channel allocations; and receiving, from the user equipment, anuplink signal on each of the multiple short physical control channelallocations.

The uplink signal may be received on each of the multiple short physicaluplink control channel allocations, wherein the method may include:performing, by the base station, uplink sweeping type operation to findthe best radio frequency beam for the user equipment.

Dividing the control data blocks configured for the long physical uplinkcontrol channel may include configuring guard periods between themultiple short physical uplink control channel allocations of the longphysical uplink control channel allocation guard periods to enable thebase station to perform RF beam switching between multiple shortphysical control channel allocations.

Mapping the one or more control data blocks in one or more of thesubframes to the at least one of the short physical uplink controlchannel and the long physical uplink control channel may be based on apredefined physical uplink control channel resource block groupconfiguration.

Mapping the one or more control data blocks in the one or more subframesaccording to the predefined physical uplink control channel resourceblock group configuration may include: mapping a long physical uplinkcontrol channel for subframes having one or more data blocks mapped to aphysical uplink shared channel.

The uplink control information may be received on the short physicaluplink control channel or the long physical uplink control channel basedon at least one of: the predefined physical uplink control channelresource block group configuration and physical uplink control channelresource block group allocation in the subframe.

The at least one of: a data block and a control data block may be: anOFDMA symbol, SC-FDMA symbol, and/or a DFT-S-OFDMA symbol.

The method may include determining the type of the respective subframebased on at least one of: higher layer signaling and L1 downlink controlsignaling.

The uplink control information may be received on the short physicaluplink control channel or the long physical uplink control channel basedon at least one of: radio resource control signaling; L1 downlinkcontrol signaling; a type of the uplink control information, wherein thetype of uplink control information comprises at least one of: ascheduling request (SR), HARQ-ACK, channel state information (CSI); apredefined threshold, such that uplink control information having apayload greater than the predefined threshold may be received on thelong physical uplink control channel, and uplink control informationhaving a payload less than the predefined threshold may be received onthe short physical uplink control channel; and a dynamic downlinktrigger transmitted by the base station. The uplink control informationcomprising at least one of HARQ-ACK and CQI may be received on the longphysical uplink control channel, and the uplink control informationcomprising a SR may be received on the long physical uplink controlchannel.

In another embodiment, an apparatus includes: at least one processor;and at least one non-transitory memory including computer program code,the at least one memory and the computer program code may be configuredto, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:determine, by a base station of a wireless network, a plurality ofsubframes to be allocated for a user equipment; map one or more controldata blocks in one or more of the subframes to at least one of: a shortphysical uplink control channel and a long physical uplink controlchannel based on a type of the one or more subframes, wherein the typeof the subframes may include one of: an uplink-only subframe; abi-directional, uplink subframe; and a bi-directional, downlinksubframe; allocate, to the user equipment, the plurality of subframes;and receive, from the user equipment, uplink control information on theone or more control data blocks.

The bi-directional, downlink subframes may be mapped to the shortphysical uplink channel; and the bi-directional, uplink subframes and anuplink-only subframes may be mapped to at least one of: a short physicaluplink control channel and a long physical control channel.

The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configuredto, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:divide the control data blocks configured for the long physical uplinkcontrol channel into multiple short physical control channelallocations; and receive, from the user equipment, an uplink signal oneach of the multiple short physical control channel allocations.

The uplink signal may be received on each of the multiple short physicaluplink control channel allocations, and wherein the at least one memoryand the computer program code may be configured to, with the at leastone processor, cause the apparatus at least to: perform, by the basestation, uplink sweeping type operation to find the best radio frequencybeam for the user equipment.

Dividing the control data blocks configured for the long physical uplinkcontrol channel may include configuring guard periods between themultiple short physical uplink control channel allocations of the longphysical uplink control channel allocation guard periods to enable thebase station to perform RF beam switching between multiple shortphysical control channel allocations.

Mapping the one or more control data blocks in one or more of thesubframes to the at least one of the short physical uplink controlchannel and the long physical uplink control channel may be based on apredefined physical uplink control channel resource block groupconfiguration.

Mapping the one or more control data blocks in the one or more subframesaccording to the predefined physical uplink control channel resourceblock group configuration may include: mapping a long physical uplinkcontrol channel for subframes having one or more data blocks mapped to aphysical uplink shared channel.

Whether the uplink control information may be received on the shortphysical uplink control channel or the long physical uplink controlchannel based on at least one of: the predefined physical uplink controlchannel resource block group configuration and physical uplink controlchannel resource block group allocation in the subframe.

The at least one of: a data block and a control data block may be oneof: an OFDMA symbol, SC-FDMA symbol, and/or a DFT-S-OFDMA symbol.

The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configuredto, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:determine the type of the respective subframe based on at least one of:higher layer signaling and L1 downlink control signaling.

The uplink control information may be received on the short physicaluplink control channel or the long physical uplink control channel basedon at least one of: radio resource control signaling; L1 downlinkcontrol signaling; a type of the uplink control information, wherein thetype of uplink control information may be at least one off a schedulingrequest (SR), HARQ-ACK, channel state information (CSI); a predefinedthreshold, such that uplink control information having a payload greaterthan the predefined threshold may be received on the long physicaluplink control channel, and uplink control information having a payloadless than the predefined threshold may be received on the short physicaluplink control channel; and a dynamic downlink trigger transmitted bythe base station.

The uplink control information may be at least one of HARQ-ACK and CQIis received on the long physical uplink control channel, and uplinkcontrol information comprising a SR is received on the long physicaluplink control channel.

A base station may include an apparatus according to any one of theparagraphs above.

In an embodiment, a user equipment may comprise an apparatus accordingto any one of the paragraphs above.

In an embodiment, a communication system may include an apparatus inaccordance with any one of the claims, and an apparatus in accordancewith any one of the paragraphs herein.

In an embodiment, a computer program may include program code forexecuting the method according to any of the paragraphs herein. Thecomputer program may be a computer program product comprising acomputer-readable medium bearing computer program code embodied thereinfor use with a computer.

In another embodiment, an apparatus may include: means for determining,by a base station of a wireless network, a plurality of subframes to beallocated for a user equipment; means for mapping one or more controldata blocks in one or more of the subframes to at least one of: a shortphysical uplink control channel and a long physical uplink controlchannel based on a type of the one or more subframes, wherein the typeof the subframes may be one of: an uplink-only subframe; abi-directional, uplink subframe; and a bi-directional, downlinksubframe; means for allocating, to the user equipment, the plurality ofsubframes; and means for receiving, from the user equipment, uplinkcontrol information on the one or more control data blocks.

In another embodiment, an apparatus may include means for receiving, bya user equipment, a plurality of subframes allocated for the userequipment, means for determining, for one or more subframes, one or morecontrol data blocks allocated for at least one of: a short physicaluplink control channel and a long physical uplink control channel basedat least on whether the subframe is a downlink-only subframe; anuplink-only subframe; a bi-directional, uplink subframe; and abi-directional, downlink subframe; means for transmitting uplink controlinformation on the one or more control data blocks.

Without in any way limiting the scope, interpretation, or application ofthe claims appearing below, a technical effect of one or more of theexample embodiments disclosed herein is improved PUCCH coverage withnecessary flexibility and limited overhead increase. Another technicaleffect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein robustand scalable PUCCH with having UL control channel overhead. Anothertechnical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosedherein is allowing comparable PUCCH coverage for NR and LTE. Anothertechnical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosedherein is increased PUCCH opportunities within subframe (slot) whenoperating according to analog/hybrid beamforming architecture at the BS.

Embodiments herein may be implemented in software (executed by one ormore processors), hardware (e.g., an application specific integratedcircuit), or a combination of software and hardware. In an exampleembodiment, the software (e.g., application logic, an instruction set)is maintained on any one of various conventional computer-readablemedia. In the context of this document, a “computer-readable medium” maybe any media or means that can contain, store, communicate, propagate ortransport the instructions for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer,with one example of a computer described and depicted, e.g., in FIG. 1.A computer-readable medium may comprise a computer-readable storagemedium (e.g., memories 125, 155, 171 or other device) that may be anymedia or means that can contain, store, and/or transport theinstructions for use by or in connection with an instruction executionsystem, apparatus, or device, such as a computer. A computer-readablestorage medium does not comprise propagating signals.

If desired, the different functions discussed herein may be performed ina different order and/or concurrently with each other. Furthermore, ifdesired, one or more of the above-described functions may be optional ormay be combined.

Although various aspects of the invention are set out in the independentclaims, other aspects of the invention comprise other combinations offeatures from the described embodiments and/or the dependent claims withthe features of the independent claims, and not solely the combinationsexplicitly set out in the claims.

It is also noted herein that while the above describes exampleembodiments of the invention, these descriptions should not be viewed ina limiting sense. Rather, there are several variations and modificationswhich may be made without departing from the scope of the presentinvention as defined in the appended claims.

The following abbreviations that may be found in the specificationand/or the drawing figures are defined as follows:

-   -   ACK Acknowledgement    -   CSI Channel Stat Information    -   DL Downlink    -   eNB (or eNodeB) evolved Node B (e.g., an LTE base station)    -   ePUCCH enhanced PUCCH (Multefire term)    -   FDM Frequency Domain Multiplexing    -   HARQ Hybrid Automatic Repeat ReQuest    -   I/F Interface    -   LBT Listen Before Talk    -   LTE Long Term Evolution    -   MME Mobility Management Entity    -   NACK Negative ACK    -   NCE Network Control Element    -   N/W Network    -   RRH Remote Radio Head    -   PDCCH Physical Downlink Control Channel    -   PDSCH Physical Downlink Shared Channel    -   PUCCH Physical Uplink Control Channel    -   PUSCH Physical Uplink Shared Channel    -   RBG Resource Block Group    -   Rel Release    -   Rx Receiver    -   sPUCCH Short PUCCH (Multefire term)    -   SGW Serving Gateway    -   SR Scheduling Request    -   TDM Time Domain Multiplexing    -   Tx Transmitter    -   UCI Uplink Control Information    -   UE User Equipment (e.g., a wireless, typically mobile device)    -   UL Uplink

1.-30. (canceled)
 31. A method, comprising: determining, by a basestation of a wireless network, a plurality of slots to be allocated fora user equipment; mapping one or more control data blocks in one slot ofthe plurality of slots to at least one of: a short physical uplinkcontrol channel and a long physical uplink control channel that are in asame slot of the plurality of slots; allocating, to the user equipment,the plurality of slots; and receiving, from the user equipment, uplinkcontrol information on the one or more control data blocks.
 32. Themethod of claim 31, wherein the mapping of one or more control datablocks in one slot of the plurality of slots is based on a type of theone slot, and wherein the type of the one slot comprises one of: anuplink-only slot, a bi-directional, uplink slot, or a bi-directional,downlink slot.
 33. The method of claim 31, wherein the uplink controlinformation is corresponding to at least one of bi-directional, uplinkslots and uplink-only slots, and wherein the uplink control informationis received via at least one of: the short physical uplink controlchannel or the long physical uplink control channel.
 34. The method ofclaim 33, further comprising: dividing two or more control data blocksconfigured for the long physical uplink control channel into multipleshort physical uplink control channel allocations; and receiving, fromthe user equipment, an uplink signal on each of the multiple shortphysical uplink control channel allocations.
 35. The method of claim 34,wherein dividing the two or more control data blocks configured for thelong physical uplink control channel comprises configuring guard periodsbetween the multiple short physical uplink control channel allocationsof the long physical uplink control channel allocation guard periods toenable the base station to perform radio frequency beam switchingbetween the multiple short physical uplink control channel allocations.36. The method of claim 31, wherein the at least one of a short physicaluplink control channel or a long physical uplink control channelcomprises both a short physical uplink control channel and a longphysical uplink control channel that are in parallel in a same slot ofthe at least one slot of the plurality of slots.
 37. The method of claim31, wherein mapping the one or more control data blocks in the one slotto the at least one of the short physical uplink control channel or thelong physical uplink control channel is based on a predefined physicaluplink control channel resource configuration, and wherein mapping theone or more control data blocks in the one slot according to thepredefined physical uplink control channel resource configurationcomprises: mapping the long physical uplink control channel for slotshaving one or more data blocks mapped to a physical uplink sharedchannel.
 38. The method of claim 36, wherein the uplink controlinformation is received on the short physical uplink control channel orthe long physical uplink control channel based on at least one of: thepredefined physical uplink control channel resource configuration or aphysical uplink control channel resource allocation in the one slot. 39.An apparatus, comprising: at least one processor, and at least onenon-transitory memory including computer program code, the at least onememory and the computer program code configured to, with the at leastone processor, cause the apparatus at least to: determine a plurality ofslots to be allocated for a user equipment; map one or more control datablocks in one slot of the plurality of slots to at least one of: a shortphysical uplink control channel and a long physical uplink controlchannel that are in a same slot of the plurality of slots; allocate, tothe user equipment, the plurality of slots; and receive, from the userequipment, uplink control information on the one or more control datablocks.
 40. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the mapping of one ormore control data blocks in one slot of the plurality of slots is basedon a type of the one slot, and wherein the type of the one slotcomprises one of: an uplink-only slot, a bi-directional, uplink slot, ora bi-directional, downlink slot.
 41. The apparatus of claim 39, whereinthe uplink control information is corresponding to at least one ofbi-directional, uplink slots and uplink-only slots, and wherein theuplink control information is received via at least one of: the shortphysical uplink control channel or the long physical uplink controlchannel.
 42. A method, comprising: receiving, by a user equipment, aplurality of slots allocated for the user equipment; determining, forone slot, one or more control data blocks allocated for at least one of:a short physical uplink control channel or a long physical uplinkcontrol channel that are in a same slot of the plurality of slots; andtransmitting uplink control information on the one or more control datablocks.
 43. The method of claim 42, wherein the determining comprises:determining that no control data blocks are available for a physicaluplink control channel for slots that are downlink-only slot type;determining that one or more control data blocks for a short physicaluplink control channel are available for slots of a bi-directional,downlink slot type; and determining that one or more control data blocksfor a short physical uplink control channel and a long physical uplinkcontrol channel are available for bi-directional, uplink slots and/or anuplink-only slots.
 44. The method of claim 42, further comprising:selecting to transmit the uplink control information on the shortphysical uplink control channel or the long physical uplink controlchannel based on at least one of: radio resource control signalingreceived by the user equipment, or a type of the uplink controlinformation, wherein the type of uplink control information comprises atleast one of: a scheduling request, hybrid automatic repeat requestacknowledgment, or channel state information; a predefined threshold,such that uplink control information having a payload greater than thepredefined threshold is received on the long physical uplink controlchannel, and uplink control information having a payload less than thepredefined threshold is received on the short physical uplink controlchannel; a processing time of the user equipment; and a dynamic downlinktrigger received by the base station.
 45. The method of claim 44,wherein: uplink control information comprising at least one of hybridautomatic repeat request acknowledgment or a channel quality indicatoris transmitted on the long physical uplink control channel, and uplinkcontrol information comprising the scheduling request is transmitted onthe long physical uplink control channel.
 46. The method of claim 42,further comprising: selecting to transmit the uplink control informationon the short physical uplink control channel or the long physical uplinkcontrol channel based on a predefined physical uplink control channelresource configuration.
 47. The method of claim 42, further comprising:determining control data blocks configured for the long physical uplinkcontrol channel comprise multiple short physical uplink control channelallocations; and transmitting, from the user equipment, an uplink signalon each of the multiple short physical uplink control channelallocations.
 48. The method of claim 42, further comprising: receivingdownlink data in a physical downlink shared channel, wherein the uplinkcontrol information comprises a hybrid automatic repeat requestacknowledgment and the uplink control information is transmitted on theshort physical uplink control channel or the long physical uplinkcontrol channel based on a processing time from detection of thephysical downlink shared channel to the hybrid automatic repeat requestacknowledgment transmission, wherein the uplink control information istransmitted on the short physical uplink control if the processing timeis less than or equal to a minimum processing time, k, and wherein theuplink control information is transmitted on the long physical uplinkcontrol channel if the processing time is greater than k.
 49. The methodof claim 48, wherein one of: the uplink control information istransmitted on the short physical uplink control channel then thedownlink data was received at least k slots earlier, or the uplinkcontrol information is transmitted on the long physical uplink controlchannel then the downlink data was received in at least k+1 slotsearlier.
 50. A computer program product comprising a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium bearing computer program code which whenexecuted by a computer cause the computer to perform a method accordingto claim 42.